Improvement in fire-escapes



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE H. NICHOLS, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT iN FIRE-ESCAPES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 113,329, dated April 4,1871.

To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, GEORGE H. N IoHoLs, ofRichmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have inventedcertain Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is aspecification: 4

The nature and object of the invention is to provide a portable metallicbrake, which, together with a rope, may forma portion of every travelersoutfit, and enable from one to four persons at once to descend from thehighest Window with ease and safety.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation ofmy fire-escape, or of one embodying my improvement.

A is a curved tube, about one-half inch diameter. B is a brace, tostrengthen and support the tube, and forms, at lower end of same,

a tongue, on which is hinged the handle C U, so constructed and arrangedthat the rope which passes through the tube may also pass throughbetween two handles, and allow the person descending to gripe thehandles together lupon the rope, lthese handles being hinged, as shown,to permit sufficient motion to gripe and loosen the rope. E is a ropepassing through the tube and open handle.

Fig. 2 is also a side elevation, with half the` tube removed to show therope E. Fig. 3 is a plan, full size, of lower end, where the handle ishinged. Fig. 4 is full size of lower end and handle, in two parts, C C.vFig 5,

one-half of handle, showing outside. Fig. 6, one-half of handle, showinginside, with cavity for rope. Fig. 7 shows waist-belt, F crossheadfastening, and G loop, the whole made of brass or malleable iron, as isfully eX- plained by the drawing.

The rope is passed through the tube by attaching a ball` to a smallcord, which serves to draw the larger rope after it.

To operate my invention secure the upper end or eye of rope, pass thebelt around the waist, the cross-head F through the loop G, and thenthrough the hole H in the brake; with one hand iirmly hold of handle C Oyou'may safely swing off upon the rope, and commence the descent atwill, by relaxing your hold upon the handle; regulate the speed ofdescent by the pressure upon the handle retard or stop the descent by acontinued hard pressure on the handle.

I do not claim` the whole of this arrangement, as a part has been usedbefore my invention.

What I do claim is-A The bent tube, suitably strengthened, as shown, andprovided at its lower-end with the hinged handles, the whole beingadapted to the rope, and operating as set forth.

GEO. H. NICHOLS.`

Witnesses: l

ANDREW JINKINs, W. P. LAWTON.

